Lookie what I found...

Fri Dec 21, 2012 7:03 pm

Keeping an eye on Craigs list yeilded this 1946 AI, Industrial A. Uh...ya, I need another tractor much less another project like a hole in the head but I couldn't resist after seeing that most of the hard to find parts were there. I put a hand crank on it and it fired briefly but sounded strong. It was enough to feel that the core of the motor was good. The carb will need cleaning for sure. It has the origional 6 volt generator and mag ignition. I was suprised to see the fan shroud was still in place too.

The foot throttle and linkage is still there.

The tires are smaller than I'd like being 8.3x24 but they are new.

While the pipe is new, its too big. I'd trade it for the proper one that is smaller given the chance.

Like alot of the pre-supers this had the liftall at one time. I have to assume that the bracket in the steering post was part of the lift-all linkage.

Heres something interesting, the wheel centers are actually weights. New one for me.This one had a regular weight bolted to it. Wonder what they weigh.

The drawbar and PTO are a bonus. The one fender thats there is badly rusted.

The 3 lamps are there and I believe very restore-able.

The other nice thing is though the fender has rust through the rest of the tractor has very little rust. I haven't had a chance to try narrowing the front axle but it is clean and rust free. I don't expect it to be a problem but the steering linkage may be another story. Wish me luck with that. Incidentally, the purchase price was about what Tucker tire would charge for those rear tires without shipping.Like I said, I couldn't resist. Mike.

Re: Lookie what I found...

Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:16 pm

Nice one!

Re: Lookie what I found...

Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:29 pm

That bracket may have been for radiator shutters rather than lift-all. A cast right wheel and sheet metal left wheel were normal on the A to compensate for the lighter weight on the right side.

Re: Lookie what I found...

Sat Dec 22, 2012 2:00 am

Very nice AI Really would like to get one one day!! after a little work have it look like this Baby HaHa

491636_lrg.jpg

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Re: Lookie what I found...

Sat Dec 22, 2012 2:01 am

The little cast piece on the steering tower is for the push rod for the starter

Re: Lookie what I found...

Sat Dec 22, 2012 6:39 am

Wow Lt. Mike you done good !

Re: Lookie what I found...

Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:40 am

Hey I was giving serious thought to it painting yellow. I really don't think it'll be much trouble stripping and repainting this one. Its pretty clean. My other A has yellow popping out under the red everywhere. This tractor doesn't appear to have any yellow that I can see. I'll go over it later today a little harder to see if I can find some. I'm not 100% but I think some of the industrials came red. If this is one of them it'll be red again when its done. I believe I know of one place to get the International tank decals too. The starter rod is in its proper place as it is on my other A so I don't think its for that. The pivoting arm under the tank next to the fuel filter is for a lift all and my other A has that too. The steering post was swapped out on that tractor so i don't know if it had a similar bracket. Radiator shutters? Ok gonna have to look for other evidence of that. There is one rear weight bolted to the right rear wheel but I think that one has a cast center too. Do you think those centers could be used on a cub? If so I could see my Lo-boy benifiting from the combined weight of rear weights mounted on cast centers for plowing snow.Incidentally the bottom line for this one was $550. I thought that was a safe gamble.My intent is to pick away here and there on it and get it in dependable running order. Then give it a proper cosmetic redo, new seat and paint. Figure around my way it'll be used mainly for towing chores, hayrides or a brush trailer (heavy yard, light farm work). I was so glad to see it already had a drawbar mounted for that. I'm thinking that its going to take about $400 in parts to complete the tractor. (new flipup padded pan seat $170 (make it pretty), battery box $100, fender(s) $50-$100, battery $50...)When my fun in refurbishing it is done I'll probably pass it on to a new home.Mike.

Re: Lookie what I found...

Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:07 am

John *.?-!.* cub owner wrote:That bracket may have been for radiator shutters rather than lift-all. A cast right wheel and sheet metal left wheel were normal on the A to compensate for the lighter weight on the right side.

That continued right on up through the 140's.

Re: Lookie what I found...

Sat Dec 22, 2012 6:38 pm

Mike:

That is a nice AI. They are kind of interesting tractors. Like the new shoes too. Every time I come over to this forum I see/learn something new. I do like the yaller ones..... , which is surprising cause I usually just like RED

Re: Lookie what I found...

Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:56 pm

One wheel center on all of the A/Super A/100/130/140 is a heavy cast. It should be on the right wheel to keep the tractor from tipping over to the left on side hills.

The old-time equivalent of 8.3x24 is the stock tire for the A.

Re: Lookie what I found...

Sun Dec 23, 2012 3:24 pm

With the hubbub of the holiday I haven't much time to play but I gave the tractor a better going over after church today.Both rear centers are cast on this one.I went over it scratching here and there with my pocket knife and produced nothing yellow, anywhere.The paint is faded and was last done with a brush. I seriously doubt that anyone that would paint a tractor with a brush would prep for paint by stripping all the original paint from the tractor. I have to assume this one came red.The brake is froze but that should be ok with a little gentle persuasion.I cranked the engine yesterday and got nothing. Today I got a really strong response but it ran for only about 5 seconds. The fuel strainer has about a 1/4" of crud in it so a good cleaning of everything from the strainer to the carb will make things right.To replace the front mismatched tires, ones a space saver spare, and to make a balance with the 8.3 rears I think a set of smaller 4.00x15 tri-rib tires will look better.

Re: Lookie what I found...

Thu Dec 27, 2012 5:35 pm

This may be a stupid question... but am I correct in assuming this is a 6 volt battery because there are 3 filler caps?

The PO bought it but couldn't tell be if it was 6 or 12 volt and I can't find any markings on the battery indicating either.Everything I've worked with for the longest time has been 12 volt so this is somewhat embarrassing not being 100% just looking at it.Mike.

Re: Lookie what I found...

Thu Dec 27, 2012 6:51 pm

Lt.Mike wrote:With the hubbub of the holiday I haven't much time to play but I gave the tractor a better going over after church today.Both rear centers are cast on this one.I went over it scratching here and there with my pocket knife and produced nothing yellow, anywhere.The paint is faded and was last done with a brush. I seriously doubt that anyone that would paint a tractor with a brush would prep for paint by stripping all the original paint from the tractor. I have to assume this one came red.The brake is froze but that should be ok with a little gentle persuasion.I cranked the engine yesterday and got nothing. Today I got a really strong response but it ran for only about 5 seconds. The fuel strainer has about a 1/4" of crud in it so a good cleaning of everything from the strainer to the carb will make things right.To replace the front mismatched tires, ones a space saver spare, and to make a balance with the 8.3 rears I think a set of smaller 4.00x15 tri-rib tires will look better.

Mike I agree on the 4.00-15's. IIRC they used the same rims for 4.00 or 5.00's.

If you want a "thin" wheel center, I have one.

Al

Re: Lookie what I found...

Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:31 pm

Lt.Mike wrote:am I correct in assuming this is a 6 volt battery because there are 3 filler caps?

Six-volt. Based on the terminals, it looks like a deep-cycle battery.

Re: Lookie what I found...

Fri Dec 28, 2012 6:38 pm

Jim Becker wrote:

Lt.Mike wrote:am I correct in assuming this is a 6 volt battery because there are 3 filler caps?

Six-volt. Based on the terminals, it looks like a deep-cycle battery.

Thats a good point I hadn't picked up on. Tell you what this is one of the heaviest batteries I have ever lifted. This should also be a positive ground being six volt right? It was hooked up as negative ground and cranked the motor right over. I'm worried that if I have it negative and it should be positive ground will the generator be damaged?

Thanks Al I'll let you know. That be the only part I left you with.

I was also thinking as I now have two A's to restore I should probably stop being cheap and spring for a grill repair tool set too. Mike.